School Certificate: English and Science

Here it is, the start of the big tests for Year 10 students across the whole of New South Wales: the School Certificate. This one was English and Science, as evident from the title, and so, without further ado, we must have a look at my day, so that we can see what happened (bit of a tautology, really. Yes, I use words like 'tautology,' OK? Although, if you read my blog, you know that I have a bit of a penchant for semi-obscure words like that. ...that was proof, right there. I rest my case.), and see how my exams went.

When I got to school, and after the bell went, I went down to the hall with the rest of the people in the group, and waited for them to mark the roles. However, nobody came, so I started to worry a bit. So I went to class, or what would have been class in Period 1 today, and waited. It then became clear that in the time I was up at class (with the rest of the class, I might add), the teachers and everyone in the other classes who had the idea to go to Period 1 first had gone down to the hall. Just my luck. However, it was sorted out in time (although it did involve going around a lot), and soon, we went inside to do the examination.

We got in (holy crap, did I just do a whole paragraph for just before school? I think I did. This may or may not be the case for the next few days.), and we sat down at our respective tables, as we were in approximate alphabetical order (there were a few mistakes, but pobody's nerfect. ...that was intentional.). The multiple choice was somewhat easy, although there was the occasional question that was really weird, and didn't seem to have a good answer, though there was an answer that was most right (I have checked around, and it wasn't just me for some of those questions. So, a sigh of relief there.). There were then two extended response parts: writing a short speech and a short story. I enjoyed writing the short story bit (it was all about a guy in a casino playing an unidentified game; like a lot of books, it makes much more sense if you read it), but the speech thing was weird. It was a response to a presentation, but here's the tricky bit: we weren't told the presentation. So we had to respond to a presentation we make up ourselves, and refer to bits in the presentation. Jees, but that threw me off, although I think I did some good quick thinking (the environmental organisation I put was 'Leaf the Forests Alone.' I think this is hilarious, especially considering I made it up on the spot in an exam.).

When we got out, we went up to the table, and then to the office, where I got a copy of a letter we got on Friday talking about the School Certificate and what-not. I'm just lucky I remembered some of the important parts before today, otherwise I would be in a bit of a sticky situation for the exams, and what to study for. In the break, the whole group pretty much talked about our short stories. No point stressing about them (then you make mistakes), and I figure that cramming in the last few minutes before an exam just stresses you out a bit more (studying in the morning is different. Cramming in the last hour or so is what gets you, although you might as well if you're really stuck.). We then went down to the hall when the bell went, to do the Science School Certificate exam.

We sat back down, and the exam soon began. And there was something about the multiple choice: there were a lot of strings. By which I mean, stuff like 4 As in a row, later two sets of 3 Ds, that type of thing. It really worries you, because you think that that can't be right, not without some significant stuff-up. But checking it confirmed it, and I soon finished the multiple choice. Then there were a lot of sheets about everything from evolution to environmentalism and onwards, for the extended response. I finished with about 40 minutes to go, and then I hit upon a problem: I was not going to be able to make the train, and therefore the bus, and so what would EJ do, and so on and so forth. I managed though, to find a solution, which was get one of the examiners to pass a note onto Mum over the phone so that she could work something out. So that was good.

When the exam finished, I went down to the station, and talked to Ebony, Shirisha and Kale, among others, who all catch the same train, and we talked about the exam, music, and how my iPod headphones just broke (One of the earpieces has fallen apart. Goddamn, that is annoying.). I still claim that Queen is better than the Monkees. Ebony disagrees, and Shirisha is ambivalent (note to self: try to stop using long words.). When I got home, I did some study for HSIE tomorrow, and so I decided not to go to hapkido. I need to study. Later, I watched 'FlashForward' with Mum and Dad; and there are a lot more twists now. I mean, more than already was. Anyway. I also blogged, although scheduling was not repaired.

To comments now, one from the guy who did last time. If you don't know who, it's the next word after this sentence ends.
*Mango (see?): Yeah, I'm guessing we will eventually get those seasons, but we're still in the first one. Very funny, it is, but we'll watch the rest of what we got first.

That was the first day of the exam. Holy crap, this post is over 1000 words (funnily enough, the number '1000' there marked the 1000th word. I enjoy coincidences.), which is the first time that's happened in a while. It's the magic of the exam, I'm guessing.

2 down, 3 to go,
AB

That's Mondaymatics

Well, I was going to title this 'The Beginning of the End.' But, erm, I've already used that (damn my preemptive title stealing!). So I've decided to make a reference to Tom Lehrer, and his classic song, 'That's Mathematics' (here it is. Soon I hope to sing it.). I also use it to mention how it's Monday. So, yeah. Let's have a look at my day.

Period 1 was Geography, where we changed rooms for some reason or another. We never got told why. What we just did in class was look through topographic maps. And I'm not the biggest fan of topographic maps (seriously, what's the point?). We also looked at longitude and latitude; I still can't tell them apart. I am getting better, but it's a slow thing. Period 2 was Science, in which Robson returned! It's been a while. He started off the lesson by talking about his trip to China, in which it appeared he was pretty lucky. Apparently, he was one of two people out of 30 in his tour group who wasn't awfully sick (as in, in their hotel rooms unable to move or in hospital). What we actually did in class (apart from the 20 minute talk about his trip) was look at Newton's Third Law again, featuring another return of the mutant horse (man, I should really trademark that, last seen almost 3 weeks ago (specifically, September 9). Recess was spent talking to mostly Ian about history (ultra-nerdy, I know. But Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire is a really interesting topic) and John and such about Battlefield Heroes.

Period 3 was Agriculture, where we did another budget for a farm. What it really is an exercise in calculator work, and if you know what you're doing, it's really easy (hell, even if you don't know what you're doing. It's putting numbers in; it ain't exactly rocket surgery. Wait...). So most of the class, me included, finished with about 20 minutes to go. So I read for the rest of the period. Next was PE, in which we wrote a mock letter to somebody of your choosing regarding a teen problem in your area of study for the assignment (road safety. Also, damn that's a confusing sentence.). I wrote about my teenage son (I called him Zac, as homage to my book. Which is actually coming along well.) whose car broke. Lunch was cards, as we risked it with the Year 12s around. Muck-Up Day is tomorrow, and they're getting ready. I actually got hit by a water balloon, but I was extraordinarily lucky, and it bounced off me. I'm just amazed that that can happen.

Period 5 was Maths, in which we did yet another practice test. I guess they're getting us ready for the Yearlies and School Certificate, but they're getting bloody boring. Although, it did have one of the easiest Maths questions I've seen for a Year 10 exam (possibly even any exam). What it was is that we had two triangles that were similar. One had sides of 6, 6 and 9. The other had sides of 6, 6 and __. I swear, they must think we're stupid or something. Period 6 was Drama, in which Kolodziej was here, but we didn't watch 'Fawlty Towers' yet again. Instead, we went up to the library and watched a video on the different types of humour, featuring one of the funniest men ever, Rowan Atkinson (I'm not sure who would be the funniest, but he would be up there. So would John Cleese.). When I got home, I did some work, and around 7, we left for hapkido.

Before class, I congratulated Amadeus on his green belt status (he is younger than most people in the class, me included, and he is a green belt. The guy's a hapkido freak.). I was then doing some stretches before class, when I was called over by the receptionist, whose name I still don't know (I swear, I'll learn it soon). She said to me that the printer was out of ink, and then looked at me. I then put two and two together. Basically, when you get a belt promotion, you get a certificate and the new belt. No ink means no certificate, and therefore... (a witch!). So what I'm guessing is that I should have got it today, but will instead get it on Wednesday. Well, here's hoping. And when I got home, I blogged, but not enough. So here I am.

To comments now, but first a comment I got about Friday's post, which I just got.
*Mango: I already went through this! Also, at the end of this sentence, this reply will be exactly 12 times longer than your actual comment! Jees.
Now, Ebony's for yesterday.
*Ebony: I didn't? Well, they're fixed now. Though, yeah, it wasn't actually that interesting of a day.

And that was my day. Tomorrow's post should be a fairly long one, what with Muck-Up Day and going to the orthodontist and all. Anyway. I look forward to Wednesday, when my orange belt may come to me. I'll love that, if it happens, of course.

Damn, you're fun to quote, Tom Lehrer,
AB

English Finish

Which rhymes! Sort of. Anyway (ignoring my title please). What I mean is that my English assignment is finished! Hours of work since Saturday have finally culminated in one 8 page booklet. But not before many setbacks and turmoils. All this to be explained in this episode of AB: A Blog (I still haven't got theme music yet).

Before school, while at school, we talked about the English assignment, and Ebony brought up the fact that we had to include the class text in one of the questions. My jaw dropped open. I didn't do it. Luckily, it didn't have to be done straight away. Period 1 was Science, in which it transpired that we didn't have to do our presentations just yet. Oy vey. What we actually did was swipe some bacteria from benches onto agar plates for no apparent reason. We also got, in what was seemingly inevitable, a completely new assignment, due next term. For the love of god... Period 2 was Geography, in which I did both some of the English and the Geography assessments. Ah, it never ends. Recess was cards.

Period 3 was English, in which we discussed the movie that we'd been watching in class, 'Shine.' We all had differing opinions about some of the stuff that happened in it, but I think the majority of the class liked it. I certainly did. We also talked about the techniques that were in the movie, which I guess a lot of people used to do a lot of their assignments on at the last minute. I started mine on Saturday, though. I'm the smart one (S-M-R-T, I mean, S-M-A-R-T). Period 4 was Maths, in which we did some more 3-D trigonometry. Really hard trig. Like, you try to figure it out and your brain starts short circuiting trying to figure it out. That type of thing. Lunch was also cards.

Period 5 was Drama, in which we did more modernisation of 'Oedipus Rex.' But, as Cam was away on some Irish music festival (I think; don't quote me), I ended up going with Allie, Lucy and Alice. Near the end, the class did some of their presentations. The absolute best has Pradeepti, Rutherford and Tansy in it, so they kicked ass. Tansy was Oedipus, who worked for a gangster, Pradeepti. Amy was a prostitute, which is where the whole giving away the son, then later "marrying" him came in. It was hilarious, and they called it none other than 'Underpus.' Classic. Period 6 was Commerce, in which I did some of my Commerce assignment. It's a neverending cycle, hey? After school, we went to the gates to get to the station, as we do: only to find that they were shut. Not just shut, but padlocked. I then put two and two together and worked out that it was Johnny, who had a lock and chain with him at Lunch. We did manage to get through, though.

When I got home, I did a lot of my assignment, and around 6:30, Oma arrived at our house after Dad and EJ came by from the station. Usually, I would be talking to her for ages and so on, but English still wasn't finished and it had to get done. So I worked until about 8, when it was finished. Of course, my luck dictates that it can't possibly be that easy (Annoying!), and it took me and my dad an hour to get it working, after the email stuffed up and we had to get the printer working. Oy vey. But by 9 it was printed and done, and I then spent the rest of the night blogging.

And that was my day. Sorry about the late post; it was actually weekend procrastination this time, as well as the assignment. Ah well. Soon I'll get back into the schedule, and then a little stress will be alleviated from my assignment-filled life.

One assignment down, too many to go,
AB

Curse My Luck

And it's not only because it was a Monday, or a late post; I'm used to them. No; it was because throughout my day, I had very bad luck. Except for one occasion, so it wasn't all bad. But mostly, yeah, I had bad luck. Anyway, to my day, where you can see the full extent of the unlucky things that plagued my day. Also, I should probably stop exaggerating. Ah well (Side note: I did have overdramaticising, which I think works better for what I'm trying to say, but has the downside of being, when Googled, pretty much only found on Urban Dictionary. What the hell, internet?).

Period 1 was English, in which we went through the book, like on Friday, to look for more examples of how the protagonist was an Odd One Out. I already pointed out the things wrong with that on Friday, so I won't continue, though I would like to point out something funny that happened. Jordan came in late, and his reason was, and I'm writing verbatim here: "chillen in the hood." No, seriously. What apparently happened is that someone else wrote it for him. It was still funny, any way you look at it. Period 2 was Maths, in which Mango and I played many games when we got bored, such as Tic Tac Toe (both of us forcing a draw every time), 3D Tic Tac Toe (on a 2D sheet of paper, no less), and most memorably, Minesweeper, which was played on a 5 by 5 board, and in which Mango tried to do the numbers first (it would have been easier to do mines first, but then, hindsight is 20-20). We then gave it to Justin to figure out, who got it after a while of thinking.

Recess was 13, although I also went to see Mr Pitt, as I was supposed to do on Friday (warning: nerdy science things abound). He started by pulling out two cylinders, both the same size, which was roughly the same size as my thumb, and both shiny. Indeed, looking at them, they were identical in all respects except one was a whitish colour and the other was a darker colour, both metallic. I first picked up the lighter one, which was very light (pun not intended; the former 'light' I mean as colour, the latter I mean as weight). As in, extremely light. Looks metallic, was about as light as foam. The second I went to pick up, the darker one, was almost absurdly heavy. As in, you wouldn't think it could possibly be that heavy, but it was. He revealed that the light one was magnesium, which has a density of about 1.7 g/cm³, and the heavy one was tungsten, density of around 19 g/cm³ (science is amazing). Apparently Robson had told him I had read 'Uncle Tungsten,' (Wikipedia article), and Pitt thus showed me the metals. He also showed me aluminium, which was slightly heavier than the magnesium, and niobium, which it seems not many people have even heard of, much less seen or held.

Period 3 was Drama (yes, I just took a paragraph to explain Recess), in which we made Greek masks, or, rather, masks reminiscent of the classic Greek mask, considering we were making them with cardboard, scissors, lead pencils and crayons gotten from the Art rooms. I did, like a lot of people, blind Oedipus, which I think was creative, although as art it's not too good. Well, as a great man (Douglas Adams, specifically) once said, "I think the idea of art kills creativity." Period 4 was Commerce, in which we went to the computer labs to write a letter to the editor of a newspaper complaining about youth unemployment. Except that we weren't supposed to research, just use what we knew. Which, as we haven't even covered youth unemployment yet, is little. Lunch was 13.

Period 5 was PE, in which the majority of my bad luck came in. We were playing Gridiron, and Chris threw a ball back to the pack, which I was in. They said 'Heads!' I didn't hear them or see the ball. You can sorta guess what happened. Bam! Right on the right side of my head. My whole ear went numb and I was very disoriented. Sadly, that was just the start of the mishaps. I tried to stop people going for the quarterback, so I held out my arms. But I kept coathangering
people. So I thought, 'I've had enough of this.' So I got into a horse-riding stance from hapkido, thus lowering my arms and centre of gravity and braced for the charge. This was one of the worst things I could have done. I dropped my arms about 10 cm. Girls were charging at me. What's about 10 centimetres below a girl's neck? Yes, those. Sophie charged right at my hand. It was an awful faux pas. Sophie looked at me, while my brain tried to decipher what just happened. Finally it clicked, my jaw dropped open, and I started apologising as much as I could. After that, I just stood to the side. Period 6 was a History exam, like those pre-tests we had been doing over the past few days. I finished with about 15 minutes to go (I get through those types of things pretty quickly), so I just doodled on the back of the sheet for a while.

When the bell went, we got home, and around 6:45, we left for hapkido. Shay was there, as was Shirisha, and she had gotten her uniform. Overall, it was a pretty good lesson, bar one thing. I tried to get my signature, my last signature: my back roll. Grandmaster Geoff's exact words? 'Within spitting distance.' If I had just extended my back leg slightly more, I would have gotten it. Almost. I almost had it. That's my luck. So come Wednesday, I will be going for it again, and I'll try to make a conscious effort to do that roll right. Orange belt is within sight, my friends; and I think I'm ready. When I got home, I blogged about Sunday, and I tried to start Monday's post, but I obviously did not get to do it. So here I am.

That was my Monday; full of mishaps. Sorry for the late post; I think I'm almost back on track and ready. I severely hope so, anyway. I'll see how it goes. Also, that title isn't so good. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe. Titles are notoriously fickle.

This is what Mondays do to people,
AB

Rest and Randomness

Well, by rest I refer to not doing that much in class, not sleeping rest. And randomness, well, I believe this is self-explanatory. Also, yes, an alliterative title for the umpteenth time this month. They're annoying, they're frustrating, and I don't really care anymore. That much. Anyway. To my day, which was a bit of a mixed bag.

Period 1 was Geography, in which we attempted to complete the cutting and pasting for the 5 sheets from yesterday, as the majority of people (me included) didn't finish it. I got almost all of it done. It's not hard so much as tedious, and that is sometimes very annoying; and this period was no exception. Period 2 was Science, in which we did some revision work on motion, and most importantly, the whole chapter on electricity and the electromagnetic spectrum. Which is somewhat difficult, because I can barely remember that far back. Just means I'll have to do a fair bit of revision before the test, I suppose. But when I did finish it, I got my book out. Which is always good. Recess was 13.

Period 3 was Ag, in which the few groups still to do their presentations (two in all) showed the class. Before they set up, I tried to make a house of cards, but it kept collapsing. And when I finally was getting it working, it was time for the presentations. Ah well. Ebony and Corinne were first, and then the last group for the whole presenting was Rhys and Sophie's. We then did some work on potatoes, as if this whole thing never even happened. Of course. Next was PE, in which we watched a tape of 'What's Good For You,' which dealt with such things as waxing versus shaving, and whether microwaves are safe (they obviously are. And they proved it. So there.). Lunch was weird and more than a little bit random. John was doing stuff for IPT, and his space was free. So for some reason, Kevin, Andy and I sat in different places and pretended to be the people who usually sat there. It's hard to explain properly. And towards the end of Lunch, part of my bag broke. I'm still not entirely sure how, but it wasn't like last time; it's less serious. Still annoying though. Damn my bad luck.

Period 5 was Maths, in which we started a new topic (yes, we started a new topic yesterday as well. Yes, it's retarded. I know.). This one was on trigonometry, and it was a bit of a bludge. Telling us stuff we already know is not particularly fun, or hard work. Period 6 was Drama, in which we just watched the ad that Cam made, after spending a good 20 minutes trying to get it to play. It was really good, apart from one thing: it's 30 seconds too long. And with a 1 and a half minute video, that's a problem. But the ad itself, apart from that, was really funny. We're going to cut out some of the song in the beginning, and unnecessary bits in the middle. Ah well. We didn't do any work, so it was a bit of a bludge. When I got home, I blogged, and later I fixed up some of the album covers for my iPod. But I only got about halfway through this post, so here I am.

And that was my day. I think I'm catching up for my 200th post; I better be. I also hope I get comments for it, but if I don't, that's fine. I mean, I'd prefer them, but... anyway. Expect a post on time, if not for tomorrow, then for Thursday for sure.

Labelling was harder than usual for this post,
AB

Monday Misfortune

I guess that could be taken as saying that Monday is misfortune (side note: is misfortunate a word? Sure it makes sense, but it doesn't really sound right. Or is the adjective unfortunate, since there is no noun for unfortunate. Anyway.). But I also had some bad luck. And I know it's an alliterative title, I do have an excuse for that. Something that goes "X and Y" is a bad title. "X Y" is better. Anyway. I'm getting off track a lot here. To my day, before I continue ranting in the opening paragraph.

Before school, I talked to John, Andy, Eric and Kevin about Battlefield Heroes in the weekend, and mostly how this guy called Pist0lbash (link) that we found in the servers (he was the guy getting 19 kills no deaths from yesterday) kept owning everybody. Period 1 was Science, in which we did some more recapping, as well as some work on mutations. Pretty standard stuff, no bludging or anything. Period 2 was Computer Maths. Or, rather, Maths in the computer labs. We were doing revision work, and I had the misfortune (dun dun dah!) to lose my calculator (I know; it's shameful. I've had that calculator for years. I think I can even remember getting it. Though that could be something else entirely.), and break both of my mechanical pencils, all in the space of 10 minutes. One was visibly stuffed, with the pencil lead visibly infiltrating the mechanics of the pencil and rendering it useless, and the other I have no idea why it doesn't work. It just does. So for most of the period, I borrowed Mango's pencil and calculator, and did some of the work.

Recess was the usual. Periods 3 and 4 were double Ag, and thanks to Schippers's wondrous announcement on Friday, none of us had to do our presentation. Instead, we just went up to the farm, like last double Ag. Unlike the last double Ag periods, however, Ebony went to talk to her group, so I went and listened to my iPod. It was mostly Monty Python and solitaire (a very good combination), but towards the end, it was some Abridged. Ebony then came to talk, which was awkward as I had to explain what Abridged was. Which is very hard. It's very hard to explain (and if you haven't seen it, see it. Now.). We then asked each other questions, as we do when we get bored. Lunch was 13.

Period 5 was English, in which the class started the in-class speeches. I did mine, of course, so I got the job of the timekeeper. Which involved clicking the stopwatch and dinging a bell. You would think this would be easy. But, no. There was an argument at the start about whether I should ding at 3 minutes or 3 minutes and 30 seconds. We settled at 3 minutes. More problems ensued when I went to ding the bell; and there was just a tap. Dinging a bell is not supposed to be a difficult task. But I seemed to make it hard to do. I got it in the end. Period 6 was History, which was just doing some work from the textbook. We're really starting to rush, and I'm not entirely sure why. Ah well. After I got home, I did a bit of work, and then it was time for hapkido.

Shay didn't come tonight, because there was problems with her diabetes (yeah, she has diabetes. I don't think I've mentioned that. Real-life spoilers!). Shirisha did come, however. The class itself was good, except for this: My rolls are awful. Well, that's not entirely true: Both of my front rolls are fine, or at least OK, and my left back roll is coming along well. But I try my right back roll, and I start thinking way too much, and my body doesn't sync up. Practice make perfect, I suppose. So when I got home, I blogged, but not enough. So here I am.

To comments now, 1 from 1 person:
*Karen: I'm not actually in IPT, I do Commerce. I was thinking of doing IPT, but I saw the try-out sheet, and I just put it down again. Glad I did, actually, after hearing my group's experiences in it. My days are actually really early; it sort of pans out that way in our family. The 'Hitchhiker's' movie isn't too bad, but it doesn't compare to the books. At all.

And that was my Monday. Sorry about the late post, hapkido and assignments got in the way. Ah well. That happens. Late posts might abound lately, with the Ag presentation. We'll just have to see.

This Ag thing is getting to me,
AB

Chemistry Comp '09

Ah, back to the days of having uncreative yet technically informative titles. I don't like them, but sometimes they are unavoidable. Like today. Anyway. My title really speaks for itself here; I did a Chemistry Competition. Also it's 2009. Well, obviously.

Before school I posted, but as normal, not enough. When I actually got to school, I talked with John and Kevin about which is better, a Gunner or a Soldier in regards to abilities and health. I was thinking about getting a new character, just to try out something other than a Commando. Period 1 was Geo, which was finishing off that video about Asia from Tuesday. Today: Singapore, and how it is illegal there to chew gum or for guys to have long hair. No, really. The first one makes some sense (it's something to do with cleanliness), but the second just seems pointless, verging on retarded. There's probably some reason, but I don't see it. Period 2 was Science, in which we watched a video on the discovery of DNA, mostly centring around how Rosalind Franklin got ripped off (And she did. There's no arguing the fact.). Recess was the usual.

Period 3 was the Chemistry Competition, which I wholeheartedly took part in as a nerd who has memorised the Periodic Table (you want further proof? Look at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a montage of elements. I've needed an excuse to say that for a long time, by the way.). It went for about an hour, and it was fairly hard. I don't know many I got wrong, though I think it's at least 1. It was really fun, or at least the most fun you can have while doing a test (I love Chemistry. Though I think Physics is better.). When it was finished, we went to PE, where we started our new topic. It's something about the media. Lunch was more 13.

Period 5 was Maths, in which I made a shocking discovery: Mr Pollock's book was broken (I borrowed a book by Oliver Sacks a little while back, before the holidays). Specifically, the whole front cover has come off. I mean, it was an old book, but still. I absolutely panicked. And, to top it off, Mango forgot his Maths textbook. Just my luck. So I basically read for the whole period. As I would. Last was Drama, in which we fleshed out the plot for our ad for our assignment. We're going to be doing a 1 minute one, because our whole idea is long. And funny. But long regardless. After school, I blogged, and also played some Battlefield Heroes. I got a new character, a Gunner, named after the character I used to play on the school's Counter Strike: SuicideBait. I'm already Level 3. But I didn't get to post, so here I am.

To comments now, 1 from the 1 person.
*Ebony: Andy isn't just uncorrupted, he's completely unknowledgeable (he doesn't know what a Rolex is! That's insane!). My iPod running out of charge is not funny, it's very annoying! And I didn't know you weren't that uncoordinated, but that's the impression you give off. And E-V is not that awesome. Just coincidental.

And that was my day. Sorry about the late post, but this assignment is killing me. I'll finish it off soon, and then practicing will be easy (well, easier), and take less time. Much less. Apart from that though, I have no real excuse, other than procrastination. Well, obviously.

I love that new Battlefield Heroes name,
AB

My Cursed Date

It's June 18. Good for my Dad: Happy Birthday Dad! (Yes, their birthdays are next to each other). But June 18 is my bad day. In 2000, I was in hospital with some blood problem on June 18. And the very next year, on the very same date, I ran headfirst at full speed into a flagpole. Today was not as bad as either of those, of course, as I didn't go to hospital. But it was still fairly bad. We'll see how, shall we? And yes, it's a late post. My unlucky streak continues.

Before school, I finished off my post from yesterday, as well as seeing the new YGOTAS episode. It's back, baby! I was dropped off at school, and Period 1 was something called 'Cheap Thrills.' I ended up volunteering for one of the roles before the act started. And how I came to regret that. At one point, the guy was pretending to be his own character's mother (it was one of those plays), and he called upon 'Aunty Pat.' And pointed to me. My face, or so I think, was stuck in an expression of a combination of shock, horror, and 'dear god, please not me.' But I was called up nonetheless, and the torture only lasted for a few minutes. The best thing that could be said about it was that it was a nice waste of a period. The actor said that the events 'could happen to anyone.' But, watching the play, he made it clear that it would only happen to people who drunk underage, stole a car, crashed it, and started smoking marijuana. Message not received.

Period 2 was History, which ended up being just talking about subject selection with Hewie, Alan and Chris, as well as doing a brief amount of work. Recess was trying to see Mulligan (the new Vice Principal) about the Subject Selection Sheet. But he wasn't here. Just my luck. So I went back, and played some 13. Period 3 was Maths, in which Rawson sprung a surprise quiz on us. I have not had a surprise quiz in ages. Possibly ever. And I spent the last part of the quiz working out an answer longways, because I forgot the formula. Then remembered the formula wrongly and changed my answer. Sometimes I can be a royal idiot. Period 4, though, was Science, which was a pretty good lesson. Robson unleashed a program called Audacity, which I have since downloaded. You can make tones, white noise (love the song), and the awesomest feature, you can record your own voice and do stuff to it like change the pitch of it, so you sound like Darth Vader or Mickey Mouse on helium. I love it.

Lunch was the usual. Period 5 was Commerce, which was a bludge, with Lizzie's Commerce group doing their video for the in-class assignment. Period 6 was English, in which possibly the worst event of the day: I got my exam back. The whole thing rested on one interpretation of the story. You get that wrong, say goodbye to a good mark. God. Damn. Kolodziej. He seems insistent on damaging my schooling to the limit with his English marking and the bloody 4 page Drama journal. Anyway. After school, everyone in our Drama group (bar Amy), and Revathy, filling in for Amy, did some work on our assessment. Then at home, I watched some TV, went a bit on my laptop. The usual. I also didn't get to finish the post, so here I am.

To comments, just the one. Slightly pointless, but anyway.
*Ebony: Thank you!

Well, that was my Thursday. The next few posts may be a bit late; there are things on. All to be explained when the day comes.

Happy Birthday Dad,
AB

Tuesday Bludging

Yes, my ability to think of titles has hit a wall. That's really the best I can think of for right now. Hopefully tomorrow will stick out and a title will emerge. But we'll see.

Before school, I had to run to catch my bus, as it was 5 minutes early and I was a few minutes late. Really unlucky, that. But I didn't miss it, and I got to school on time. Period 1 was Geography, which was getting our results back, and going over the answers. I got 39.5/50, which comes to 79.5%. I would have gotten 40.5/50, but they marked a question right when it was wrong, and it was, unfortunately, changed. That was a bludge, as was the rest of the day. Period 2 was our Year Assembly, and in it I realised exactly what is due this month. All of these things are:
*June 4: Subject Selection Evening
*June 9: School Photos
*June 15: English Assessment Due
*June 16: Social
*June 17: EJ's Birthday
*June 18: Dad's Birthday and Drama Assessment Due
*June 19: Year 10 Workshop (I hate these)
*June 26: History Assessment Due
Yes, I've got a lot of things to do. Assessments, birthdays, and other important things. It's going to be a packed month. I'll start really working on my English assessment soon, and I'll take it from there after that. The Year Assembly itself (getting back to the topic) was as most of them are: a poor excuse to get out of class. It ran overtime.

Recess was the usual. Period 3 was Ag, and I'm getting used to the whole sitting backwards thing. We just did some graphing. Pretty straight-forward stuff, no thought required. Period 4 was theory PE. These lessons are becoming few and far-between, with 3 spanning 3 months. We just did some work on mental illness this lesson, and I also got some work done on my book. It wasn't much, it was just getting a last name for two characters (they're twins), and getting some bit characters. I'm doing a bit of an inside joke; the minor characters that are being controlled by Damarius are all twists of people in my group's names. I am Caleb (anagram: Alec B. It's close enough), John is Isaac (one letter off the first initial), Andy is Arthur (first initial), Kevin is Max (Macca)... you get the picture. There's 8, including Victor, who got a first name. No rhyme or reason to it, barring the fact that Victor works. No favoritism here. Anyway.

Lunch was the usual, and I got really good hands. John had a real unlucky streak, getting 3 2s twice and losing each time he got them. It was funny. Kevin kept getting third, which is also funny as our rule is that third deals. Period 5 was Maths, which was doing some basic work on interest. It was just one of those Maths lessons where you plug numbers into a calculator and write down the number that comes out. Easy stuff. Last was Drama, which was doing some work, as well as talking to my group (barring Amy who wasn't there) about our upcoming assessment. Thank god that we have to do it in class, otherwise I would have a lot more work. After school, when I got home, I started my Drama Journal (bloody Kolodziej making us do 5 pages of bloody work...), and later I talked on MSN for a while. Then around 8:30, after dinner and dessert, I started a new rule for myself: no MSN after 8:30 so that I can post enough. And here I am, blogging.

To comments; 3, all anonymous. One is less anonymous than the others, but the last two baffle me. Let's give it a shot.
*Dad: Thanks, I do think my writing has improved. I mean, I did something like 900 words in 40 minutes yesterday, and I think I'm really doing better. My book is still a long way off though, even assuming I write a page a day it'll still take a year, and I'm doing my School Certificate and I'm still working on the plot... anyway. Long way to go, but I'm enjoying the journey.
*Anonymous: I am a white belt, but assuming I get all the signatures within the next few weeks I'll be able to graduate by the first of July. That's the earliest I can graduate, with time requisites as well as the number of classes.
*Anonymous: Royals is a slightly odd game. It's simple, but it's hard to explain without actually showing people. If you are in my school, then come along and we'll show you. I'm not even sure if Royals is its real name; I just made up the name after I realised I knew the game but not the title.

Well, that was my Tuesday. Wednesday should be like all Wednesdays, a bit like a bludge, and Thursday will be that Subject Selection Evening. Friday, though, is a day off, and I'll probably spend some of the time doing assessments. Not all of the time of course, that's insane, but this English assessment needs to really get under way.

My titling leaves something to be desired,
AB

Half-Yearlies '09: Science

Well, with Science down, that's only Maths left. In unrelated matters, Ebony and Victor have agreed to end their boycott of my comments section, revealing reasons that are devious, harsh and fair all in one. I will get to this. They said they would start commenting tomorrow, but thankfully I got comments today. In yet more, even more pointless news, I am still to make a theme song. I will make one when I get bored (luckily, I wrote a program on Scratch a while back that lets me write music. But don't expect a miracle.). Now, to Tuesday. And yes, I will stop doing this 'news' thing.

Period 1 was Maths, which was doing some revision work on algebra. Pretty straight-forward stuff. We also did some Science study, as per usual. Next was Drama, which finally was a prac lesson that was actually Drama, and not walking around with our eyes closed. We did it in our groups (so me with Ebony, Amy, Pradeepti and Rutherford), and we were making a play. We were doing 'Something Supernatural.' It ended up being a voodoo thing, with Rutherford playing the doll (his idea), Pradeepti being the witch doctor, also known as 'Lady Charcoal' (her idea), me being the person being 'voodooed' on because Ebony put Lady Charcoal up to it because I was cheating on her with Amy (Pradeepti, Pradeepti and Pradeepti). We spent a while working out the basic storyline, and with 10 minutes to go we all went inside, and started on our mini-plays. Cameron's group was first, which was a bus trip. That was pretty funny. We were next (thanks to Pradeepti volunteering), but we only got through 30 seconds before the bell went. Saved by the bell.

Recess was 13, as usual. That was good. I like 13. Period 3 was Commerce, which was studying for Science. Thank god Kearney let us. That was too short a period, because it was time for the Science half-yearly. I spent most of the time in 'go,' with a short amount of time in 'ready.' All in all, it was like any other Science exam: 10 multiple choice, 5 short-answers, and a few extended responses. Most of the things they examine us on are fairly straight-forward, but inevitably I stuff up at least one small thing, that gets noticed immediately after the exam. This one was alkane instead of hydrocarbon, which in hindsight was obvious. Ah well. But apart from that, I think I did OK. I'll just have to see when I get it back.

Lunch was, for the first 5 minutes, the Science exam. Actual lunch was first managing to arrange some people to play 13: and then noticing that the cards are not in my bag or in my pocket. So I get everyone together before I find the cards are gone. This is my luck. I pulled apart my bag twice, asked the Science teachers and checked the bin (I have no idea why), all to no avail. I then set upon looking around the school (those are my good cards), and then came across it in Room 10, where I had Commerce. When I finally got back with the cards to play 13, the half-time bell went. Oy vey. The second half was 13, which was your average play, with Kevin, Andy, Victor and Shafi (John wasn't here.).

Period 5 was English, which was looking through more of 'Macbeth,' and specifically the part when Macbeth has just killed Duncan, so the end of Scene 2. That was a bit of a bludge. Last was History, which was watching a DVD (finally!) of the Stolen Generation, and taking notes. That was also a bludge, as all video-watching classes are. When the bell went, and after I got home, I did some Maths homework, and then went on MSN. After a few minutes of pleading, Victor and Ebony unveiled their master plan: they would comment if they got some alone time. Now, that is reasonable, but I have one thing wrong with it (not with the idea, but the strike). One, they never actually asked me to stop, and I have told them they can just tell me to go away and I will. Really, that's two things, but who cares. My point remains valid. Hopefully they can get back to commenting.

Speaking of which, it's time for comments, and thanks to occasional begging I did, I got two comments. I don't like no comments (though, I do realise they're not crucial. I still want them though.).
*Karen: There is no 'should' read my blog, though, I'm actually not sure anymore how many people actually read it. And my blog is more of a 'memory extension,' as well as a vent. I can go any day from February 10 2009 and see exactly what I was doing. And we all like 13 (though we have been known to play 31 and Speed, and we used to play poker every now and then). I don't actually know what leaf I tasted, Ebony just said 'eat it.' I'll hand it to her, she's very persistent. And I stick by the fact that I'm weirder. I take pride in it.
*Kevin: I never liked Computer Maths on Excel, I always like the Sketchpad lessons. They're the best. I hope I did well on Ag, and I think I did well on Science. We'll have to see. And our group sucked at the coil, I'm not 100% sure why. We just did. Ah well. Win some, lose some.

Well, that was my Tuesday. I don't have any exams tomorrow, thank god, and Thursday is the last one. I'll enjoy the end of them, as it means I can get back to semi-bludging without studying getting in the way. There will be much work on my book, reading, and doing random things for no particular reason. Hooray!

7 down, 1 to go,
AB

Spacers Hurt

If you don't know what spacers are, I refer you to exhibit A: yesterday's post. And, goddamn, did they hurt in the morning. Seriously, aching pain. I'll get to all of this right now.

Before school, I took some Febridol, and for breakfast, because I could not eat Special K without really hurting my teeth, a banana, which took 15 minutes to eat. Goddamn. At school, I started chewing my gum, which was really painful. Every chew was agony. But, the orthodontist told me to, so I did. Victor wasn't here, but for some reason his case was. Period 1 was Geo, which was doing more revision work on those graphs with rainfall and temperature on the one thing. I also asked Johnson if I could chew my gum in class, which I could. I learnt that when trying to deal with pain, Tan Jun breathing (from hapkido) helps a fair bit. It helps me focus past the pain. I didn't do it in class, obviously, but I did do it beforehand. In class, however, there was pain. A lot of it. More than once, I hit the table with my hand, and for the whole thing pretty much, my hand was in a closed fist. Next was Science, in which we had a sub (who I think may have been a Uni student, or at least she'd not long left Uni.). We did some work, and the pain was starting to reside; the chewing helps. However, by this time I've been chewing the same bit of gum for something like 2 hours, so it was basically rubber. But, it helped a lot. Recess was 13, which was also me trying to eat Recess with just my front teeth. It worked, but the only problem was when I tried to eat one of John's macadamias with my front teeth, I failed. Miserably. I love macadamias. Ah well.

Period 3 was Ag, which was a bludge, watching videos on goats, as well as trying to think of stuff for my book (I have now caved to pressure, and the new name is Viktor Gray. No, I'm not changing it, unless I think of something better.). That was an hour, and then it was time for PE, also an hour. Remember those Redskins from Monday? I didn't get them today, but even if I did get them, I couldn't eat them, because of my spacers. So yeah. The worst possible timing. If I had've got them, I probably would have just given them to people. I couldn't eat them myself. That period was talking about mental illnesses, with one part coming up with mental illnesses (one response was 'obesity,' from Tiana, of course. I mean, she explained it sorta understandably, but in the end you're left with the fact that obesity is not a mental illness. At all.), and another part filling sheets in about a selected mental illness outside. That was also attempting to fight the wind for my book and sheets.

Lunch was 13, with John, Kevin, Andy, Eric, Ian, Shafi and me. The way of getting in was very haphazard, but it was still fun. I also invite you to ask yourself: how do I lose to Shafi with an 8 to Ace in my hand. That's a seven card straight. How do I lose? To Shafi, of all people (of which it took five minutes to explain what a double was, and the same person who asked if he could beat a three card straight with a triple. Or a two. Or a two-card straight. He sorta got the hang of it, but the strategy leaves something to be desired.). Ah well. That's my luck for you. Period 5 was Maths, which was doing some work on ratios, as well as balancing rulers on pencils and pushing them off with our hands without touching them, by slamming them down and so forcing the air down (it was a very slow period.). Mango started it. Then it was Drama, which was talking about a worksheet in our groups. It didn't really make sense, and Kolodziej seemed a bit annoyed today. Must be one of those days, it certainly was for me.

When I got home (by catching the bus to the shop, then being driven the rest of the way), it took me half an hour to eat a bowl of Burger Rings (mmm, Burger Rings... Ow, spacers...). Then around 4:15, Jo picked me up, to go to Whitlam Centre to get our passes for the disco tomorrow. The people who came with me (or, better phrased, I went with them) were Jo (of course; someone had to be driving), Shay, Jessica, and Chiara, from the concert, pronounced Kee-ara. I am number 11, or sodium, on my pass. Chiara is fluorine, Shay is neon, and Jessica is magnesium. I wanted to be magnesium. Ah well (nerdy, remember.). I was dropped home at 5:30, where I finished my Geo assessment, finally, and then went on MSN. That is a load off my back, to say the least. I went on my computer until dinner, which was a quiche and salad (I couldn't eat some of my salad. Goddamn!). And after dinner, I went on my computer, and here I am, blogging.

To comments, which is one, from one person of course. It's also a short comment, so I'll try to reply to it in full.
*Victor: 'Ebony and Victor,' 'Victor and Ebony,' the fact is I've started to refer to you as a couple. I don't care which way around it goes. Victor will say Ebony first, Ebony will say Victor first, so I will do the tiebreaker and say it's whatever I feel like. I love to rant.'

That was my Thursday, my painful and eventful Thursday. Tomorrow will be even more eventful, as well as awesome (disco disco disco!). It's a shame Ebony and Victor (see which way round it went? Who cares?) can't go. Ah well. It also goes from 7 to 10:30, so expect a late post. It might be really late, it might be the next day. The point is that it won't be the usual time (9-ish.). Ah well. I'll probably do it in the morning on Saturday, but we'll see.

Tomorrow will be the awesomest day in ages,
AB

Too Long a Day

It was a long day today, full of randomness, work, no work, luckiness, unluckiness.... you get the picture. Prepare for a post of epic proportions, including one list.

Before school, I talked to Victor and Ebony about random topics. As usual. Period 1 was Ag, which went for an hour (as did Periods 2, 3 and 4. Blame NAPLAN.). We did procedures on foot paring in our book, and I did a bit of work on my book (I'm trying to get some characters going. I'm finding a bit hard to focus, what with half-yearlies coming up, and the bloody Geo assessment, and so on.). Then came Geo, which was just working on some skills for mapping, like topographic mapping and the positions of continents. Simple stuff, really. Recess was 13, with John, Andy, Eric and Kevin.

Period 3 was Maths, which was doing more work on factorisation and expansion and so on. Just revision. That seems to be the theme of schoolwork today; revision. Pretty NTR stuff, really. Next was Science, which was even more revision, as well as work on Ohm's Law. Robson had lost his voice, but he was pretty loud for someone who had. It comes and goes, I think. Lunch was 13 with (get this): John, Andy, Eric, Kevin, Ebony, Victor and me. We played a 'one in, one out' rule (Ebony's idea), which worked pretty well. I didn't get out the whole game. I also got the best hand in my entire life, no exaggeration. I got four 2s, 6 to King, and an extra Queen. The game went something like this: John plays three 3s, I play three 2s. I play 6 to King, my free. I play my Queen, then finish on my two. Best hand ever, hands down (no pun intended).

Then when the bell went for Period 5, the universe decided to balance out my luck, of course. I was sitting on the Science staircase, and when the bell went, I started to Room 10. While going up the stairs, I thought to myself: 'Hang on. Where am I going?' So I went all the way back to Room 30, which was all of 10 steps from where I was originally. But it didn't stop there. When I got there, Miss Fox-Coleman said we were actually at Room 11. Which is right next to the room I was originally going to. Oy vey. This is what I get. Commerce was doing more work on the capital punishment Powerpoint in-class project (Commerce teachers seem to love Powerpoints for in-class projects. or maybe it's just Kearney). That period was 35 minutes. The last 30 minutes was English, which was just people not thinking. Three things that stand out: Tiana's putting her hand up to answer a question. When Hancock called on her, she straightened up, opened her mouth; and said nothing. She'd completely forgotten what she was about to say (at least I don't do that in front of the class). The second thing was Hancock making fun of Ben (as he does, but it's not malicious). Barahona is sitting next to him. Hancock: 'I can see outside through your ears.' Barahona: 'Really?' These are our English lessons: full of randomness and unintentional comedy. When the bell went, and after I got home, I went into my Geo assessment (I've now one page left, and that's Question 3. It seems fairly easy. But still a lot of work.). Once I'd done a bit, I talked on MSN, and ended up making my own 'Dinosaur Comics' comic using a website (basically, in Dinosaur Comics, everything is the same except the text. It has to be read to be understood.) that randomises the strips. Here's my own 'Dinosaur Remix,' as they call it. I just shortened it, and made a new one. It's a lot funnier, in my opinion (but, then again, I'm weird). And here I am, blogging, as well as trying to think of a last name that suits a character I'm thinking of.

And, here for the first time in a while, is a random list. Applause please. Today's topic: things about myself that annoy me:
*I can't type 'touche' without misspelling it at least once: I have no idea why. I just can't. I usually just write: Tocuhe. I just tried typing it quickly 5 times in succession, and 4 times I wrote 'Tocuhe.' (The other one was 'ocuhe.' *sigh*)
*I can almost never do the Tetris theme and the Mario theme in succession: Why? It's a very good question. But for weeks, if I remembered one, I forgot the other one. I only just got it today (I'll see if I can remember it in the morning.).
*My very bad memory: Example: I was going to put something else here. But I forgot what it was. So I did this. Yes, I know. I am incredibly weird. But you can't spell abnormal without AB!

Comments: 2 from 2 people. If Rosa hadn't commented, I would have done a very long rant. But she did, so I didn't.
*Shafi: 'Firstings?' What? From now on everybody, if you want to say you are first, actually have something else to say. Like Ebony. She is never going to let up about this, but: she is awesome that way (Oh god, what have I done?).
*Rosa: I did? Oh crap, I did! How did I miss that? Bugger. And I'm actually looking forward to Drama performance day as well, as I love Drama. It's fun. My bet is that the one with Jayson, Oscar, and presumably Shane as well will be the funniest. By a mile.

I'll finish up now. Wednesday will be a long post, and probably late, because I'm going to the orthodontist to get an extender or widener or something along those lines (it's metal, it goes on my teeth, and it looks weird) almost as soon as I get home, and then it'll be pretty much time for hapkido. Oh boy. And Wednesday week is my hundredth post (wow, that was quick), and I can't wait. (Oh, where has AC gone? They left one day and never came back. If you still read my blog, you might as well just say who you are. Or at least comment.)

I can't wait for Friday already,
AB

Another One of Those Days

Yep, it was just another one of those days. 'Just My Luck' was already taken. Damn me! But, I'll get to how it was another one of those days.

I caught the bus to the station, and on the way to school the train stopped (in its tracks!). I also left my phone on overnight (absentmindedness strikes again). Period 1 was Science, which was doing more circuit work, and me proving that bulbs left on the highest voltage get very hot very quickly. With my hand. Next was Geography, which was starting a new topic on 'Urban Growth and Decline' (reading from the textbook), and getting our assessments back. I got 11/15, which is OK (speaking of which, my Dance got 26/30. W00t!). Recess was, as usual, cards, but Eric came along to play some 13 as well. So we had 5. Victor, come back and play 13. We barely have enough people to play. You could bring Ebony; she likes 13, I think (actually that's not a bad idea...). Period 3 was English, which was listening to a CD of 'Macbeth', which could have been a lot better. Witch 3 sounded like she was in a casual conversation, rather than as an evil witch. 'Oh, yeah, that will be the ere the set of sun. Yeah.' Anyway. Maths was me (and prepare for nerdiness on a grand scale) using Newton's Method of Approximation for finding square roots (I won't get into it) on negative 1: and coming up with a set of chaotic numbers. One small change in the beginning number and down the track there's a whole different number. But, I digress.

Lunch was 13 and 31, of course. They're fun (though I maintain that 13 is better and, contrary to Shafi, that 13 is awesome. Or, mawesome.). Period 5 was Drama, which was getting into the minds of the characters we created, and some people went up front and got asked questions. I'm going next period. Tansy was brutal to Lucy; she was describing people (I was 'glasses kid.'), and she got both 'tall girl who looks like she gets around' and 'legs and little else.' Epic Win. That was one of the funniest things I have ever heard in Drama (though Professor Blueberry and the Crocodile is still up there.). Next was Commerce, which was little work. Then, skip all the way to home, and around 5-ish, I had to go to the orthodontist.

This is why it was one of those days. Long story short: Guess who needs braces (and the answer isn't Victor. Lol, Victor with braces... where was I?). Yeah. Me. 21 months. But, it's good for my health, I suppose. And, I'll get nerdier (which will be funnier.)

Comments; 2 from 1 person? Really? Ah well. Better than none, I suppose.
*Victor: No. No I don't get that. It might be a Shakespeare reference, but I don't see how it makes much sense. How did your backpack get set alight? And better ways to spend your time? Bring her along. Everybody's happy!
*Victor: Wow, that comment was completely and utterly pointless. You said your first comment was first, then pointed out that this comment was second. Maybe you should have just said 'This comment is second' and be done with it. (Oh lord, what have I started.)

Finishing up my Tuesday. Usually I like Tuesdays. Wednesdays are good too, because there isn't as much work. Tomorrow I'll probably do a lot of work on my book; I'm ploughing ahead in the plot, and I have an idea to get rid of a problem in the plot (I need something to work off which seems natural in the course of things and still serves the plot idea), which if there's a trilogy will make for a kick-ass idea in the third book. If you want to ask me about my book, come ask, I've talked to a few people already. Anyway.

I am soon to be A Bracewearer,
AB

Monday Madness

It was strange kind of Monday. Everything was, to plagiarise myself, slightly surreal. I'll get to all about how. Right now.

I woke up around 6:15 (which is sleeping in for me), and then had to run around to do everything before I had to go. I actually ended up finishing early, but then I had to do my History homework, which I didn't do over the weekend. I finished that around 7:40, and spent the rest of the 20 minutes or so on my laptop, as I do.

Skip to school, and Period 1 was Ag, which was doing some work on goats, and then after finishing, doing some work on my book. I'm just trying to think of a reasonable way that the protagonists can defeat the antagonist. There's got to be a simple way. 'Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler,' said Albert Einstein (because I had to work that in there.). Next was History, which was doing some work on the changing rights of Aboriginals, and it ended up that the homework we had, not many people actually did. Of course. Recess was cards, as usual, and showing Shafi how to play 13. He picked the rules up pretty quickly, but his strategy has something to be desired. But in all fairness, you can't teach strategy. Period 3 was Maths, which was doing work on volume. Mango had my Maths textbook again. I really have to stop leaving it behind. Anyway. Period 4 was Science, or at least it should have been. Before classes started, I talked to Victor and Kevin, who were in the class in front of me, when Ebony 'attacked' Victor again. I should probably get used to this (the lucky bastard. I could get into a big rant about him getting somebody, but I won't.). In the end, no teacher showed up, so the period was spent listening to music on my iPod, working on my book, playing cards to myself (like Solitaire), making card houses (which are really fun to do), and in the end, I was playing 'Go Fish' with Sophie, when the bell went. When I stood up, grabbing my bag, I could feel the backpack falling. 'What the hell?' I shouted, dropping everything, and looking at the wreck that was my bag, one strap come clean of the bag itself. Crap. That was an awesome bag too. Just my luck. Lunch was playing cards again, 13 and 31 both. I got a quad 7. Awesome.

Period 5 was Commerce, which was doing a class debate on 'Should the Legal Drinking Age be Lowered to 16?' of which the answer is obvious, but the arguments not so much. Last was English, which was reading some of Macbeth (I would have enjoyed it if Ebony were Lady Macbeth instead of Witch 3. But, that's only because of Tournament of Minds. I like that. But, I'm off topic.), and watching a DVD. When you watch it, it makes more sense, but I still had trouble working out what they were saying. Well, that's what you get for the play being over 400 years old. Still good though. When I got home, I went on my laptop, until it was time for hapkido.

There weren't many people tonight, and we had the woman black belt (I don't know her name. I'll get it eventually. My memory of names is not so good, as most people know.), so we got our asses kicked. At least 50 push-ups in the first 10 minutes or so, and her favourite drill, Jab-Cross-Duck. It's tiring, but it's good (and me saying exercise is good just shows how awesome hapkido is.). I had to teach a new guy called Ben some self-defence, which was really fun, as usually I'm the one being taught. After that we did evasion, and I think I did pretty well. Every attack I got out of fairly quickly. It's great, hapkido. And here I am, blogging as fast as I can, before I go to bed.

One good thing about not too many comments: less stuff to write, and the quicker it takes (it's no complete compensation, but it's something.) Two yesterday, from Victor and Ebony.
*Victor: I don't like double brackets. Call me strange that way; I don't like them.
*Ebony: Someone else thinks blog is a weird word. I'm not that strange! (Weirdly enough, I'm slightly disappointed. Strange is good.) And making my day interesting: cool. I'm even awesomer! And it's true, nobody wants to hear me sing (well, I do, but I don't think that counts.). And I did not 'say it anyway,' I only hinted heavily. I couldn't resist. Second, you want. Second.

That was my Monday. It was manic, it was mad, but it was m... mega-awesome (hooray, I got it! I almost said mawesome. Damn, that's a good word. 'Mawesome.' This is just me being 'different' here.). Tomorrow should be also a big post, as I find out if I get braces or not. Crap. Well, here we go.

Mondays, they're all bloody annoying,
AB

Just My Luck

Today was a pretty unlucky day, sort of, although some of my hands in 13 might disagree with me. Anyway. I'll get to all of this, including why Hancock and Johnson seem to be teaming up to make me very annoyed. And yes, it's late again, blame hapkido. From now on, early posts on Mondays and Wednesdays. Like, 4:00-ish early.

I slept in 45 minutes today, so I had to rush as quickly as I could so that I could finish my post from yesterday (the timing couldn't have been worse). That was unlucky event number 1. I got to school after Jo dropped me off, and when the bell went for Role Call, I gave my History assessment to Mrs Johnson. All well and good.

Or so I thought. History comes around, and Johnson ends up saying 'It's due in on Friday.' What. That's hours of work on one day, missing a post and having to do it in the morning for nothing. Oy vey. Unlucky event 2. But apart from that, History wasn't much. Next comes English, and we started our 'Macbeth' topic, called 'Throne of Blood,' which may be the awesomest school topic name ever. We talked about a project we got, and when the bell went, I thought to myself: 'Hang on. He didn't mention our stories.' So that whole thing was for nothing. Unlucky event 3. But, I still put it on his desk, because I wrote that, missing a post, and for the love of god, he is going to read it. Recess was 13, with John, Kevin and Andy. Then it was Ag, which was doing some more work on goats. When I finished that, I played Solitaire with my mini-cards, read a bit, and thought a bit about my book. I have a few ideas, and of them I reckon I could flesh out the plots of two fully. I'll do those, and see what I think. Lunch was, again, 13, but with the addition of Eric and Victor. Victor completely owned all of us; he just kept winning. At one point, he bombed, then finished with a straight from 3 to ten. In another round, all Kevin played a 2 of diamonds. Just one card. In yet another, somebody (I forget who) was beaten with a 3 of clubs, being their free. Funny hands.

Sport was European handball and basketball. In European handball, we lost 6-4, because Javery, Roshan and Peter dominated. We had Bryan and Hewie, but it just wasn't enough. And Tan didn't want to goalkeep for us, which was another problem. Ah well. Then around 2-ish, we played basketball. Well, played isn't the right word, as nobody really did much. I ended up just sitting down after a while, with nobody noticing. Then when the bell went, I went to the station, then walked back to school because I left my jacket on the ground. Unlucky event 4 (I am on a roll today). Then when I got home, I went on MSN, and then it was time to go to hapkido around 7-ish.

Today, at hapkido, Shay wasn't there, and luckily too. Because we got our asses kicked. The first 5 minutes was: a minute straight of push-ups, a minute straight of sit-ups, squats, triceps push-ups and toe touches. We had to count them, and I think I got to 185. That was torturing. I had trouble sitting up, because my abs were shot. Anyway. I also learnt that blue belts are worse than anyone when they use self-defence. I don't know why, but they are. Anyway. Then, when I got home, I blogged as much as I could, then finished on Thursday morning.

Comments: 4 from 4 people. The blog is looking up. But, to replies.
*Kevin: 31 is great. I love it.
*Ebony: I know, I know. And nobody does have an excuse for not commenting: listen to Ebony peoples.
*Rosa: I actually like Drama, I always have. Even theory's not that bad.
*Corinne: Luckily there's a Wikipedia article about it, so here it is. That's the general gist of it.

Well, I'll sum up. I almost have to go to school. Ah well.

I posted way too late (Unlucky event 5?),
AB